Extensible stud driving tool



Sept. '8, 1959 J. F. HAMLIN 2,902,690

` EXTENSIBLE STUD DRIVING Toor.

Filed Aug. 2o, 1957 f 2 sheets-snee: 1

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ee 52 A59/6o 58 INVENTOR. 655| i i 58 r l JERRY EHAML/N A T Tom/EVSSept. 8, 1959 J. F. HAMLIN EXTENSIBLE STUD DRIVINGTOQL Filed Aug. zo,195'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /EGL 7 3 e4 u 89 v le J 9| es INVENTOR. 73 KJERRY lc." HAML /N l BY .7 93 88 ffy 2% ATTORNEYS -United States PatentEXTENSIBLE STUD DRIVING TOOL Jerry F. Hamlin, San Rafael, Calif.Application August 20, 1957, Serial No. 679,190

11 Claims. (Cl. 1-47) This invention relates to manually operated toolsfor forcibly driving a pointed stud or the like in'to a surface forsecuring various objects to such surface. More particularly thisinvention relates to a stud driving tool assembly comprising anextensible body structure including a stud guide element or sectiontherein with adjust- .able handle structure securedadjacent one endthereof and also including a weightedhammer member slidably positionedadjacent another endthereof.

The tool of the instant invention is well adapted for driving pointedstuds or nail members into a receiving surface, such as wood or thelike, for securing -lathing or similar building construction items tosuch su-rface, as well as for securing name plates or other decorativeitems to the surface. It should be understood, however, that the instanttool may also be used to drive hardened studs into surfaces other thanwood, such as concrete,

sizes, each of such studs being intended for a particular .4 ,u

purpose.

More particularly `this invention relates to the provision of a manuallyoperated stud driving tool assembly which comprises an extensible bodystructure, desirably including two or more telescopically inter-engagedtubular members, in one of which is slidablyfmounted stud contacting anddriving means, desirably in the form of an elongated pin. A

The invention also includes the provision of an internally recessedhammer having one vend vthereof substantially enclosed which is slidablymounted on one "of the telescoping members comprising thebody structure.The invention also includes the provision of adjustable handle structuremounted adjacent an end of the tool comprising a handle which may beadjustably secured in any of numerous predetermined positions relativeto the tool body structure thereby adapting the tool for driving studsinto surfaces variously positioned relative to the user of the tool.

The invention also relates to a method for driving studs into a surfaceby utilizing the tool of the instant invention.

In applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 589,- 496, liled lune5, 1956, now Patent No. 2,855,601, dated October 14, 1958, a manuallyoperated stud driving tool l assembly is illustrated and described whichis intended to forcibly drive a stud into a receiving surface. The toolassembly of such co-pending application comprises two separate parts, ananvil and a stud guide clement,

which together form the tool assembly. Oneof such Ffice parts includesan elongated guide bar having a hammer member slidable thereon. Theeffective length of stroke of such hammer for driving of the stud islimited by the length of the guide barupon which the hammer is slidablymounted. ln such tool, therefore, it is necessary to utilize acomparatively long hammer guide bar to allow a blow of substantialproportions to be applied by the hammer to the stud to be driven by thetool assembly.

In the tool of the instant invention, however, all of the operativeparts are connected into a unitary assembly' and a relatively short andcompact extensible body structure is utilized in such assembly whichprecludes the need for an elongated hammer mounting bar, such as isutilized in the tool assembly disclosed in the aforementioned co-pendingapplication. By utilizing an extensible body structure 'in the presenttool, the driving hammer may be withdrawn from the stud to be driven apredetermined amount depending upon the force of the blow desired to beimparted to the stud. In such manner blows of various force may beapplied to a stud without requiring a long hammer guiding bar aspart ofthe. tool.

This invention has an object, among others, the provision of a unitarystud driving tool assembly, including an extensible body structure,which may be used in the usual upright position and `equally well in theinverted overhead position or in a substantially horizontal position.

A further object is to provide a tool with a hammer slidablv connectedthereto which is of considerable weight to enable the user to drive astud with a minimum amount of effort and a comparatively small number ofblows.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool which is capable ofuse in close quarters near a wall or other structure extending from thesurface into which a stud is to be driven.

Other objects and advantages of the instant tool will become apparentfrom a study of the following specification wherein reference is made tothe accompanying drawings for a detailed description of adesirable/embodiment of the invention and the manner in which it may beused.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a view of la workman using the tool ofl the instant inventionfor driving a stud into an overhead surface;

Fig. 2 is an elevational View with portions of the stud driving toolbeing shown in vertical section. In such view a stud is illustrated aspositioned in the tool and the hammer and' body structure are shown intelescoped relationship;

Fig. 3 is an elevational View similar to Fig. 2 showing parts of thetool in vertical section and illustrating the hammer and extensible bodystructure in extended posi,- tion;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the lower end of the tool showing partsthereof in vertical section and illustrating a stud driven into a worksurface; Y

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the handle structure of the tool showingthe various parts thereof separated for purposes of illustration; v

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the handle structure of the tool taken in theplane of line 6 6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an elevational View of the lower portion of the tool showing amodified form of'dn'ving pin.

Referring first to Figs. 2 and 3, the tool of the instant invention isgenerally designated 1 and includes an extensible body structure 2,which desirably consists of a plurality of slidably interfittingtelescopic tubular members. In the illustrated embodiment, the bodystructure cluding an outer member 3 and an inner member 4, but more thantwo tubular members may be utilized if desired. The tubular members 3and 4 which comprise the extensible body structure are so arranged thatmember 4 is Slidably retained within outer member 3. That is, an outerenlarged portion 6 adjacent one end of inner member 4 slidably engagesan inner bore section 7 of member 3.

While desirable, for ease of manufacture and low cost, the tubularmembers 3 and 4 are substantially circular in cross-section, it shouldbe understood that such intertting members may be any configurationdesired which will allow sliding engagement therebetween. It should alsobe understood that enlarged portion 6 of member 4 is substantially ofthe same outer diameter as the inner diameter of bore section 7 oftubular member 3. The outer diameter of portion 6, of course, isslightly smaller than the inner diameter of bore 7 to allow for freesliding movement of tubular member 4 in tubular member 3.

Adjacent the upper end of inner tubular member 4 is formed acircumferential shoulder 8 which separates such inner member 4 into theenlarged portion 6 mentioned previously and a portion of reduced outerdiameter 9 which extends downwardly therefrom. lt will be noted thatouter tubular member 3 has adjacent its lower end,

but spaced inwardly therefrom, an internal shoulder 11.

It Will be noted, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, that the reduced diameterbore section 12 of outer tubular member 3 Slidably engages the reducedportion 9 of inner tubular member 4. Reduced portion 9 of member 4 andreduced bore 12 of member 3 are only slightly dissimilar in diameter toallow free sliding movement therebetween. Reduced portion 9 and reducedbore 12 cooperate with enlarged upper portion 6 and enlarged bore 7mentionedv previously to preclude tilting of the inner member 4 as itmoves telescopically in the outer member 3.

The inner tubular member 4 desirably is internally recessed throughoutits length thereby providing a longitudinal bore 13 extending for themajority of the length of such tubular member 4 from the upper endthereof. Adjacent `a lower end' of tubular member 4 but spaced from suchend is an internal substantially frusto-conical shoulder 14 whichseparates the first mentioned bore '13 from a bore or passage of reduceddiameter 16 which is formed in tubular member 4 adjacent the lower endthereof.

At the extreme lower end of tubular member 4 is formed a stud receivingpassage or bore portion 17 which is longitudinally aligned with andwhich communicates with reduced bore portion 16 and upper bore portion13 but which is of enlarged diameter relative to the reduced portion 16.Such bore portion 17 cooperates with reduced diameter bore portion 16 toproduce astud guide means or section within tubular member 4, thepurpose of which will appear hereinafter. It will be noted, however,that the cylindrical portion of tubular member 4 which defines boreportions 13, 16 and 17 is telescopically receivable in tubular member 3ofthe body structure.

Slidably received within inner tubular member 4 is elongated studcontacting and driving means, which desirably is in the form of anelongated stud driving pin 18. One end portion of such pin 18 is adaptedto engage an appropriate surface on a stud to be driven by the tool.Such stud driving pin includes at its upper end portion an enlargedIhead 19 having an under surface 20 which precludes separation of thepin 18 in one direction from the tubular member 4. That is, the enlargedhead 19, which desirably is circular in cross-section but whichobviously may be any other desirable configuration, has an externaldiameter larger than the internal diameter of bore 13 of tubular member4. Enlarged head 19, however, is of smaller diameter than bore portion 7of tubular member 3 into which it extends thereby precluding anyinterference betwen such head 19 and bore portion 7 as members 3 land 4-move one over the other.

Positioned below head 19' and extending for a substantial portion of thelength of the pin 18 is enlarged first pin section 21. Desirably suchfirst pin` section 21 is circular in cross-section and cylindrical inouter configuration to conform substantially in size and configurationto the inner diameter of bore section 13 of tubular member `4. It shouldbe' understood, however, that first pin section 21 is slightly smallerin -diameter than bore 13 to allow sliding movement therein but topreclude any tilting or transverse movement of the pin 18 in suchtubular member 4.

Intermediate the ends of driving pin 1S is formed an inwardly anddownwardly sloping substantially fr'usto- Aconical shoulder 22 whichseparates first enlarged pin section 23. Reduced' diameter pinl section2'3 also desirably is` circular in cross-section and of `cylindricalouter configuration' and substantially conforms in size andconfiguration with Ythe internal diameterv of the reduced bore section16 of tubular member 4. As a result, pin 18 is slidable within tubularmember 4 to effect driving of a stud ina manner to be described'.

Desirably the length of pin 18 from the under surface 20 of enlargedhead 19to the bottom surface 24 of such pin is only slightlyl less thanthe overall length of the inner tubular member' 4. In this manner,contact of the driving pin 18 with the surfaces into which a stud is tobe driven is precluded in that under surface 2d of enlarged head I9 willcontact the outer or upper face 26 of such tubular member 4 before end24 of pin 18 contacts such surface S. Furthermore, as illustrated in thedrawings, outer tubular member 3 is slightly shorter in length thaninner tubular member 4. It should be understood, however, that therelative length of the various tubular parts of the body structure 2 maybe varied to meet a particular need without departing from the spirit ofthis invention.

Adjacent the upper face 26 of the tubular member 4, but spaced inwardlytherefrom, is an internal circ-umferent-iai groove or recess 27.Retained in such internal groove 27 isy friction means, which desirablyis in the form of a rubber or plastic Oring 28, the function of whichwill be set out hereinafter. Desirably, the external diameter of theO-ring 28 slightly exceeds the internal diameter of the groove 27 whilethe internal diameter of `such O-ning is slightly smaller than theexternal diameter of the enlarged section 21 of pin 18. As aJresult, thepin 18 )is frictionally gripped by the Ofring 23 and the O-ring isfirmly secured in the groove 27 v Although under most conditions it isunnecessary, if desirable, an appropriate means, such as adhesive or thelike, may be utilized to secure the O-ring 28 in groove 27.

Adjacent the upper end of external tub-ular member 3 desirably isprovided an enlarged cylindrical section 29 which iis separated from`the lower elongated reduced outer diameter cylindrical section 31surrounding bore 7 by a penipiheral shoulder 32 which divides tubularmember 3 into the two different diameter sections 29 and 31 justmentioned. Slidably interconnected with outer tubular member 3 islweighted stud drilve rmeans, desirably in the form of a hammer member33, which possesses substantial Weight. It will be noted that hammer 33has an intermediate external configuration 34 of somewhat rounded shapewith enlarged portions 36`and 37 at opposite ends thereof. The externalconfiguration of the intermedate rounded section 34 is intended toconform substantially to the shape of the hand 'of a person us'in'g thetool.

' 'The hammer 33 desirably is Ainternally recessed from its-lower end 36vthereby providing an internal bore 38 extendingfinwardly from end 36.Such bore 38 desirablyis cylindrical in shape and the internal diameterof such bore desirably is only slightly larger than the Adiameter of theenlarged cylindrical upper section29 of outer tubular member 3. As aresult, hammer 33 is slidable over the end of tubular member 3 with asubstantial portion of such tubular member 3 being receivablein bore 38of the hammer, as is shown in Fig. 2. It should be noted, however, thathammer 33 is slidable over member 3 to a greater extent than is shown inFig. 2. When there is no stud in the tool end the hammery 33 is slidablefor the entire length of bore 38 over member 3.

Enlarged upper end 37 of hammer 33 is substantially enclosed. That is,the bore 38 doesl not run through the entire hammer but stops asubstantial distance inwardly from the extreme outer surface of enlargedend 37 thereby providing an internal planar driving ,face 39 which isintended to forcibly engage the enlarged head 19 of driving pin 18 in amanner to be subsequently discussed. It will be noted, however, thatenlarged upper end 37 of hammer 33 is not completely enclosed in that asmall passage 41, which communicates with bore 38, extends from suchbore through the enlarged end 37 of the hammer. While the passage 41 isshown extending longitudinally of the hammer, it should be understoodthat such passage may extend in any direction desired without departingfrom the scope of this invention. The purpose of suoh passage 41 is toallow 'air entrapped in bore 38 to escape therefrom as the hammer 33 isutilized to foroibly drive a stud member.

Adjacent lower enlarged end 36 of hammer 33 bore 38 is somewhat enlargedthereby forming a counter-bore 42, the inner surface of which isprovided with threads 43 of any conventional design. Threadably engagedin such counter-bore 42 is retaining means which desirably tis in theform of an externally threaded nut member 44. Such retaining nut member44 has threads on the outer surface thereof corresponding in size andshape with the internal threads 43 of the counter-bore 42.

The threads on nut' member 44 and the threads 43 o-f counter-bore 42, itshould be understood, diifer in crest and root diameters the standardamount to provide standard clearance therebetween to allow threadedengagement `of the nut 44 into counter-bore 42. Adjacent the lower endof nut 44 and extending diametrically thereacross is nut driving means,desirably in the form of a transverse 4slot 46. By means of slot 46 thenut 44 may be threadably engaged in counter-bore 42. It shouldbeunderstood, however, that driving means of any conventional design maybe utilized to allow insertion of the nut 44 into the counter-bore 42.As illustrated in the drawings, the lower slotted surface of nut 44desirably is substanitially ush with the lower end of hammer portion 36.

bore 49 of the retaining nut 44.

Because the nut 44 partially restricts bore 38 of hammer 33, it will benoted that, as shown in Fig. 3, the upper face 47 of nut 44 may engage`the shoulder 32 formed on tubular member 3 adjacent the upper endthereof. ln this manner, separation of the hammer 33 from the tubularmember 3 is precluded while retaining nut 44 is positioned incounter-bore 42.

The tool body structure 2 may be extended to the position shown in Fig.3 merely by drawing the hammer 33 away from the end of the bodystructure in which the stud is mounted. That is, by sliding hammer33upwardly from the position of Fig. 2 the hammer will move along' tubularmember 3 until upper face 47 of retaining nut 44 contacts enlargedsection 29 of tubular member 3. When such contact occurs, continuedupward movement of the hammer will cause upward movement of tubularmember 3 therewith, thereby causing such member 3 to slide over tubularmember 4 until shoulder 11 of member 3 engages shoulder 8 of innertubular member 4. In such position, the tool is fully extended as isillustrated in Fig. 3.

Taking reference to Fig, 4, it will be noted that a stud is slidablyreceived in guiding and positioning means adjacent the lower end of thetool body section 2. Such guiding and positioning means desirablyincludes the enlarged bore section 17 which communicates with reducedbore section 16 of member 4 mentioned previously.

A stud 51 to be driven by the tool desirably has adjacent one end athreaded section 52 by means of which various articles may be threadablyfastened thereto after the stud 51 has been driven into surface S.Extending upwardly from the threaded section S2 is a reduced stud headsection 53 which is unthreaded and which serves as a driving head toprevent distortion of the threads on section 52 during forcible drivingof the stud by hammer 33. It will be noted from Fig. 4 that the lowerend or face 24 of driving pin 18 has extending upwardly therein a recess54. Such recess 54 surrounds a portion of the threaded end 52 of thestud when the threaded end is inserted therein and the inner flat face56 of such recess 54 engages the end of the reduced diameter headedportion 53 of the stud. It should be noted that the inner diameter ofrecess 54 is substantially equal to the outer crest diameter of thethreaded section 52 of stud 51 whereby the upper end of the stud ismaintained in proper position and is precluded from lateral shifting ormisalignment during forcible driving thereof.

As shown in each of Figs. 2 and 3 positioned adjacent the pointed end 57of the stud 51 and surrounding such stud is a guide member, whichdesirably is in the form of an O-ring 58. Such O-ring desirably isformed from plastic, but may be formed from metal or other material, andhas an internal diameter substantially corresponding with the externaldiameter of the shank of stud 51. The external diameter of guide ring 58is substantially equal to the internal diameter of bore section 17 oftubular member 4.

As the stud is driven, such guide ring 58 maintains the shank of stud 51in proper axial alignment and precludes lateral shifting thereof therebyeliminating any tendency or possibility of the stud becoming cantedduring driving. The guide ring 58 cooperates with the recess 54mentioned previously in maintaining proper alignment of the stud 51during driving thereby insuring entry of the stud into the surface S ina direction substantially normal to the outer face of surface S. As-stud 51 is driven into surface S, ring 58 travels therewith until itcontacts the surface S after which the ring slides over the shank ofstud 51. The initial and tinal positions kof guide ring 58 are shown inFigs. 2 and 4 respectively.

After the stud has been driven into the surface, guide ring 58 may beremoved therefrom or may be allowed to remain around the stud to serveas a washer or spacer to form a seat for an article to be secured to thesurface.

Surrounding the lower portion of tubular member 4 and connected theretois handle structure 60. Such handle structure 60 desirably includes aanged member 61 having means thereon for securing such handle structureto the body structure of the stud driving tool. As shown in Fig. 5, suchmember 61 includes an upright, substantially cylindrical hollow tubularmember 62. A longitudinal bore 63 is formed through member 62. Securedto the lower end of` tubular member 62 is a base flange 64 which extendstransversely of tubular member 62 and provides a substantially flatlower face 65 adapted for engagement with the surface S into which thestud 51 is to be driven to stabilize the tool as the stud is driven. Itshould be understood, however, that stabilizing ange 64 may be an.element separate from the handle structure described. That is, theflange may take the form of a separate washery or ring which may besecured to the tool body structure at one end thereof independently ofthe other elements which comprise the handle structure.

It will be noted that portions of hollow tubular member 62 and iiange 64are cut away at one side thereby presenting a'isubstantially planar face66, the purpose of which will be set out hereinafter. Extendinglaterally from tubular member 62 and tiange 64 and connected therewithisa boss 67. Desirably all of boss 67 does not extend radially fromtubular member 62 but is oiiset from a radius of such member 62 butsubstantially parallel thereto. It should be noted, however, as shown'in Fig. 6 that the inner face of boss 67, which is designated 68,extends substantially radially with respect to tubular member 62.

Desirably the outer surface of the boss 67 is rounded at the end remotefrom tubular member 62, as atv 69, and desirably such rounded endsurface is in the form' of an arc of a circle; A bore 71 extendstransversely through the boss 67 and desirably the axis of such bore 71vis concentric with the axis of rounded end surface 69.

An elongated curved handle 72 is adapted for use with the boss 67 andsuch handle consists of an outer end, which is adapted to be grasped bythe hand of a user of the tool, and an inner end adapted to beinter-engaged with the boss 67. Such inner end includes a roundedextension 73 and a cutaway portion 74 adjacent such' ex'- tension whichhas an inner surface thereof corresponding generally in shape to ytherounded end surface 69 of boss 67, all as shown in Fig. 5.

It will be noted that extension 73 comprises approxi'- mately one-halfthe width of handle 72 and is substantially equal to the transversethickness of boss 67. Such extension 73 includes an inner face 76 whichis adapted for engagement with the inner face 68 of boss 67. Extension73 has an outer curved end surface 77 and a transverse recess or bore78, the axis of such bore desirably being concentric with outer curvedsurface 77. It should be understood that the distance from the axis ofbore 78 to the concave surface of cutaway portion 74 of handle 72 issubstantially equal to the distance from the axis of bore '71 to thecurved end surface 69- of boss 67 thereby allowing bores 71 and 78'to be.brought into alignment when the boss and handle are engaged.

As shown in Fig. 6 when handle 72 is engaged with boss 67, the innerface 76 of handle extension 73 engages inner face 68 of the boss. Theface 76, when thus positioned, is `substantially radially extendingrelative to tubular member 62.

To preclude movement between handle 72 and boss 67, intertitting orinterengaging means, desirably in the form of complementary recesses andprotuberances, are formed on faces 76 and 68 of the handle and boss.Such recess and protuberance means desirably include V- shaped radiallyextending protuberances 79 formed on the inner face 76 of lthe handleextension 73 and radially extending grooves 81 formed in the face 68 ofboss 67. It should be understood, however, that the protuberance andgroove means may be reversed with the protuberances being formed on theboss and the recesses being formed in the handle extension. Itfurthermore should be understood that various other shapesy andconiigurations of protuberances and grooves may be utilized if Ydesired.

67. In. the'embodiment illustrated, eight recesses and eightvprotuberances are' shownvv thereby providingy the handle withnumerousdifferent positions of arrangement relative to the boss'andalsoY relative to the entire stud driving' tool; Itlshouldibe understoodthat more handle positions' may be obtained by increasing the number ofprotuberancesandrecesses on the respective handle structure parts.

After the handle has beenv positioned in a predetermined relationshiprelative to the boss 67, it is maintained in such position by fasteningmeans, desirably in the form of a conventional threaded bolt 82 havingan enlarged head 83 at oneV end anda conventional Wing nut 84 adapted tobe threadedly received on the threaded end of the bolt. The bolt 82extends through the aligned bores 71 and 78 in the boss 67 and handleextension 73 respectively and acts as a pivot about which the handle maybe rotated' relative to the boss. After the handle has been rotated tothe desired position and the protu? berances engaged in the recesses,the wing nut is tightened thereby urging the surfaces 76 on the handleand 618 on the boss into close engagement. Rotation of the handlerelative to the tool is precluded unless the fastening means arethreadably disengaged a suiiicient amount to allow the protuberances toslide out of the grooves.

While a conventional bolt and wing nut have been illustrated as thefastening means intended to prevent movement between the handle 72 andboss 67, it should be understoodA that other fastening means may beutilized to perform the same function.

The handle structure 60 described previously desirably is securedadjacent an end of the tool body structure by inserting the reducedlowermost portion 86 of the inner tubular member 4 into the bore 63 ofthe tubular portion 62 of the handle structure. It will be noted that ashoulder 87 is formed adjacent the reduced end 86 of tubular member 4which is engageable with the upper surface of tubular portion 62 andsurrounding the bore 63 thereof. Desirably the reduced portion 86 issubstantially equal in length to the length of the bore 63 extending`through-,tubular portion 6-2 and flange 64 of the member 61. As a resultthe end 88 of tubular member 4 is substantially co-planar with thebottom surface 65 of the flange 64 whereby a flat tool stabilizing faceis presented-,for engaging the tool against the surface into which thestud is to be driven.

Desirably reduced portion 86 of member 4- is secured by a force tit inthe bore 63 of the member 61 of the handle structure thereby precludingthe need for any other fastening means to prevent separation between therespective parts. However, if desired, tubular member 4 and member 61 ofthe handle structure may be welded or otherwise secured to prevent theirseparation.

Surrounding tubular member 4 adjacent the shoulder 87 thereon `is acushioning washer 89 which is interposed between the lower end of outertubular mem-ber 3 and the upper surface of member 61 of the handlestructure when the respective tubular members of the body section are inthe telescoped relationship shown in Fig. 4. The purpose of suchcushioning Washer will be set out hereafter.

Referring now to the modification of the stud driving tool illustratedin Fig; 7, it should be understood that the tool structure illustratedin such figure is essentially the same as the tool structure describedpreviously with reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Similar referencenumerals have been used to designate similar parts in bothmodiiications. 4It will be noted, however, that the lower end of thestud driving pin 18 in Fig. 7 has been modified to accommodate amodified type stud 91 having an enlarged head 92 at one end" thereof anda conventional point 93 at the other end. The enlarged head 92 of suchstud desirably has an upper convex rounded surface 94 there` on and'k a'peripheral cylindrical surface which substantilly corresponds in sizeand shape tothe internal diameter of restricted bore portion 16 oftubular member 4. In this manner, the upper portion of stud 91 ispositioned and guided in bore portion 16 as the stud is driven.

A guiding washer 95, desirably of plastic or like material, is securedadjacent the pointed end of stud 91 and is frictionally but slidablyretained thereon. Washer 95 functions to properly position and guidesuch pointed end in enlarged stud guide bore portion 17 at the bottom oftubular member 4 in the manner discussed previously.

It will be noted that the lower end of stud driving pin l18 whichcontacts the upper convex surface of stud head 92 has a concave surface96 formed in the end thereof :which corresponds substantially to theshape of surface 94 on the stud head. In this manner proper engagementbetween the driving pin 18 and the stud head 92 during use of the studdriving tool is insured.

It should be understood, however, that while only two lstudmodiiications and two driving pin end modifications have beenillustrated and described herein that various other/type studs may beutilized with the stud driving tool of this invention merely bymodifying the end of vsuch stud driving pin 18 to properly accommodateand contact the head portion of the `studV to be driven.

The stud driving tool of the type illustrated is utilized inthefollowing manner. The operator lirst untightens wing nut 84 on thehandle structure thereby allowing the lhandle '72 and the protuberances79 thereon to be disengaged from the recesses 81 formed in boss 68. Upon*such disengagement, the handle may be moved and positioned relative toboss 68 inv any position which is convenient for the particular operatorand which allows the operator to maintain the tool in engagement withthe surface into which the stud is to be driven. After the handle hasbeen so positioned, wing nut 84 is again tightened Athereby engagingprotuberances 79 in recesses 81 and precluding inadvertent movement ofthe handle. The fact that the handle structure is adjustable to variouspositions is highly desirable in that the tool may be easily positionedand maintained for use not only in the conventional upright position fordriving a stud downwardly, -but the tool may also be positionedhorizontally for use driven. For example, when the tool is used to drivea stud into the ceiling of a building, the tool may be placed at thejuncture of the ceiling with a vertical wall amd in close proximity tosuch vertical wall thereby allowing 'the' stud to-be driven into theceiling at a location closely adjacent to the vertical wall.

Although the cutaway portion of the flanged member '6l-*of the -handlestructure has been shown as a planar surface, it should be understoodthat other constructions -rnay be utilized to meet a particular need.For example the cutaway portion of ange member 61 could be V- yshaped sothat the tool could be utilized to drive studs into a ceiling or iioorat the juncture of such ceiling and iioor with two vertical wallsurfaces. That is, a stud could `be driven'int'o the ceiling at thecorner formed by such vertical walls.

After the handle has been adjusted to a predetermined Iposition in themanner described previously, a stud is .inserted through the lower boreportion 17 of the inner tubular member 4 with the head thereof engagedin the recess formed in the end 24 of driving pin 18. Driving pin 18 isslidably moved upwardly in tubular member V4 by -forcing the stud intovsuch vbore until the point of the stud is flush, or substantiallyso,with` the planar sur- 10 face formed 'by Vthe bottom of flange 64 andthe end 88 of tubular member 4. A stud in position to be driven isillustrated in both Figs. 2 and 7.

After the stud has been properly positioned in the tool, the hammer 33`is withdrawn in the manner discussed previously until the tubularmembers 3 and 4 ofthe stud body structure are extended, desirably to theposition `shown in' Fig. 3.

lt should be understood that the showing of Fig. 3 illustrates thehammer withdrawn from the stud driving pin the maximum amount therebyallowing the maximum force to be applied to the end of the stud drivingpin. However, when a blow of intermediate force only would be requiredto drive a stud, it should be understood that the hammer need not bewithdrawn to the amount indicated in Fig. 3 nor need the tubular4members 3 and 4 be fully extended.

After the hammer has been withdrawn from the end of driving pin 18 thedesired amount, the hammer is forcibly driven until end surface 39 ofbore 38 strikes against the head 19 of such driving pin thereby movingthe pin 18 downwardly and forcing the stud into the ksurface S. Use ofthe hammer to drive the pin 18 downwardly and the stud therewith .isrepeated the required number of times until the stud is driven therequisite amount into the receiving surface.

.It should be noted that as the hammer 33 is forcibly driven downwardlythat outer tubular member 3 is forcibly driven over inner tubular member4. To preclude any undesirable sounds and recoil effects which would beproduced if the end of member 3 forcibly engages the upper `surface oftubular member 62 of the handle structure, la cushioning washer S9 isinterposed between the end of member 4 and the handle structure toabsorb the impact of tubular member 3 on member 62 of the handlestructure. Generally the cushioning washer 89 snugly engages the outersurface of tubular member 4 and it is unnecessary to secure such washerin p-lace. However, if desired the cushioning washer may be secured inplace by any conventional means, such as by an appropriate adhesive.

Alternately, the cushioning washer 89 could be secured `to the end oftubular member 3 in which case it would travel therewith. It should beevident, however, that in such modification the inner diameter of thebore ofthe cushioning washer would have to be slightly larger than theouter diameter of tubular member 4 to allowfree sliding movement ofmember 3 over member 4.

As mentioned previously, friction means, desirably in the form of arubber O-ring 28, is located adjacent one end of inner tubular member 4.The O-ring 28 is particularly desirable when the tool is used in theinverted position to drive a stud into an overhead surface;

It should be noted that when used in such inverted posi- ,tion thetendency of the driving pin 18 would be to fall ldownwardly throughtubular members 3 and 4 into engagement with the internal surface 39 atthe enclosed end of the hammer 33. To temporarily preclude such downwardmovement while the hammer is out of engagement with driving pin 18, theO-ring 28 is positioned in frictional engagement about driving pin 18thereby precluding such pin from falling downwardly each time the hammermember is withdrawn prior to a compressive stroke thereof. That is, theO-ring 28 maintains the driving pin in contact with the stud head eachtime the hammer is withdrawn preparatory to striking another blow.

The frictional engagement of O-ring 28 with pin 18 is suiiiciently tightto preclude movement of the pin downwardly but such frictionalengagement does not materially hinder the driving force of the hammer asforce is applied to such pin. O-ring 28 also is useful when the tool isused in the upright of horizontal position. Because hammer 33 strikespin 18 with substantial force the tendency of the pin is to recoilslightly away from the stud even when the tool is upright or horizontal.The

(2-ring 2S' precludes such recoil and maintains the pin 18 incontactwith the stud regardless of the position in which the tool is used.

As mentioned previously, the tool of this invention is adapted for usein various positions but it is particularly well adapted for drivingstuds into overhead structures. Because the handle and theV hammer formaunitary tool assembly with the extensible body of the stud drivingytool, it is only necessary to utilize twohands in the stud' drivingoperation in that the stud itself is properly positioned and guided bythe guiding means in the body structure of the tool. it is merelynecessary to manually drive the hammer Withone of the hands while theother hand, which engages the handle, maintains the tool in properposition.

Other manually operated stud driving tools are availableon the marketbut such tools require the use of means separate from the tool fordriving the stud. Itv is particularly diicult, for example, to utilize aseparatey hammer, s'uch as a Sledge hammer, to drive a stud into anoverhead structure. To drive a stud into an overhead surface byutilizing a tool which requires the use of a separate hammer wouldrequire more than two hands because the: user would tbe required tomaintain the tool, the driving pin therein, and the stud in placeyagainst a surface and then apply a blow to such tool with a separatehammer to forcibly drive the stud. Such procedure would be extremelyditcult when driving studs into an overhead surface because the drivingpin would tend to fall out. of the tool and become disengaged from thestud to be driven.

The extensible characteristics of this tool are also highly desirable inthat a tool of comparatively short length'- is produced which may beeasily packed and carried in a workmans tool box and yet which may beextended a substantial distance to allow a substantialk force to beapplied by the hammer. With respect to carrying sucht tool in a toolbox, it will be noted that the adjustable handle is well suited for suchcarrying in that the handle may be rotated to a position lyingsubstantially parallel with the body of the tool and the hammer therebyallowing the tool to take up a minimum amount of space.

In this respect it will be noted, as shown in Fig. 2, that handle member72 has an offset portion 97 thereon which presents a concave surface 93on one side thereof. Such concave surface 9S is intended when the toolis in completely telescoped position with the handle 72 substantiallyparallel to the body of the tool, to fit around the lower enlarged end36 of the hammer 33 thereby further insuring a compact structure forcarrying in a tool box when the tool is in nonuse.

The materials from which the vaiious components of the tool aremanufactured generally are not critical but it has been found that thedriving pin 18 and the interengaging tubular members 3 and d! desirablymay be formed from steel while the adjustable handle 72 and fiangedmember 61 which comprise the handle structure 6() may be formed fromaluminum to minimize the overall weight of the tool as much as possible.The hammer 33 may be formed from any heavy material, such as steel oriron.

it should be understood that the foregoing description is intended asbeing merely illustrative of a desirable ernbodiment of the tool but thescope of this invention is not to be limited by such description, butshouldl be interpreted in light of the following claims.

I claim:

l. A stud driving tool comprising an extensible and telescopic bodystructure including at least two slidably intercorniected tubularmembers, one of said tubular members including means for positioning andguiding a stud to be driven by said tool, a stud driving pin positionedin said one tubular member and engageable with a stud to be driven intoa surface, said one tubular member having a recess provided in the innerperiphery thereof, friction means comprising a nonmetallicmemberpositioned' in said recess and engaging said pin to' maintain i2the same temporarily in substantially fixed posit-ion'relative to saidone tubular member, and' a hammer interconnected with another of saidtubular members and slidable thereon', said hammer being engageable withsaid pinto forcibly movey said pin against the restraining' effe/ct. ofsaid friction means whereby a stud-may be forcibly driven into saidsurface. j

2. A stud: driving tool comprising an elongatedv body structureincluding a plurality of telescopingv tubes, one of said tubes havingV apassage adjacent an end thereof for receiving a stud to be driven, adriving pin slidably mountedV in said one tube yand having. its endportion opposite saidV stud receiving passage projecting through saidone tube into another of said tubes, and a hollow hammer member slidablymounted over said another tube and having an internal driving faceadapted to strike said end portiony of said driving pin.

3. A stud driving tool comprising an elongated body structure includinga plurality of telescoping tubes, one of said tubes having a passageadjacent an end thereof for receiving a stud to be driven, a driving pinslidably mounted in said one tube and having its end portion yoppositesaid stud receiving passage projecting through said one tube intoanother of said tubes, a` hollow hammer member slidably mounted overysaid another tube and having anv internal driving face adapted to strikesaid end portion of said driving pin, a stabilizing flange secured tosaid one tube adjacent the end thereof having the stud receivingpassage, and an adjustable handle connected to said body structureadjacent an end thereof for positioning said tool against a surface intowhich said stud is to be driven.

4. For use in a stud driving tool, an extensible body structurecomprising a pair of tubular members slidably interconnected intelescoping relationship, one of said members having internal shouldermeans adjacent one end thereof for engagement with the other of saidmembers and external shoulder means adjacent another end thereofengageable with a hammer adapted to be slidably interconnectedtherewith, the other of said members having external shoulder meansadjacent an end thereof engageable with said internal shoulder means ofsaid one member whereby said body structure may -be extended until saidengageable shoulder means Ion said members contact each other therebyprecluding further extension.

5. In a stud driving tool extensible from a retracted state to anextended state, an adjustable handle structure adapted to be pivotallysecured to said tool comprising a handle adapted to be engaged by thehand of a user of the tool, a member having meansv thereon for securingthe same to the body of said tool, a boss extending' laterally from saidmember, said member having a cut-away portion presenting a substantiallyplanar face substantially opposite from said boss, opposing surfaces onsaid boss and said handle, interengaging means on said opposing surfaceswhereby said handle may be located in a predetermined position relativeto said boss, and fastening means engageable with said boss andY handleto preclude inadvertent relative movement therebetween, said handleincluding means engageable with a portion of said tool when said handleis pivoted to a position substantially parallel to said tool wherebysaid tool may be maintained in said retracted state for packing orstorage.

6. A stud driving tool comprising a tubular body structure which iscollapsible thereby facilitating packing thereof, said tubular bodystructure having a passage adjacent an end thereof for receiving aV studto be driven, a stud driving member slidably mounted in said structureadjacent said stud receiving passage and having means adapted to receivehammer blows, a manually operable hollow hammer member slidably mountedover'said'tubul'ar body structure' for striking said stud drivingmember, a stabilizing flange secured to said body structure adjacent theend thereof having the stud receiving passage, 'and 13 an adjustablehandle pivotally connected to said body structure for positioning saidtool against a surface into which said stud is to be driven, said handleincluding means engageable with said hammer member when said tool iscollapsed and said handle is pivoted to a position substantiallyparallel to said body structure whereby said tool may be maintainedcollapsed for packing or storage.

7. A stud driving tool comprising an extensible multipiece bodystructure including a plurality of telescopically arranged tubularmembers slidably interconnected with each other, stud contacting anddriving means positioned in said body structure and engageable with astud to be driven by said tool, and hammer means separate from said studcontacting and driving means interconnected with said body structure andslidable over one of said tubular members, said hammer means beingcooperable with said stud contacting and driving means for forciblydriving said stud into a surface.

8. A stud driving tool assembly comprising a telescoping body structureextensible from a telescoped state to an extended state, said bodystructure including means for positioning and guiding a stud to beforcibly driven into a surface by said tool, slidable means positionedin said body structure and engageable with a stud to be driven, hammermeans slidably interconnected with said body structure and cooperablewith said slidable means for forcibly driving said stud, and handlestructure mounted on said body structure adjacent an end thereof andadjustable relative thereto whereby grasping of said tool forpositioning against said surface during stud driving is facilitated,said handle structure including means cooperable with said tool assemblyfor maintaining said body structure in said telescoped state wherebysaid tool may be maintained in said telescoped state when not in use.

9. The tool assembly of claim 8 wherein said handle structure includingsaid means for holding said assembly in said telescoped state comprisesa hollow member secured around said body structure, a handle pivotablerelative to said hollow member, and interengaging means on said handleand hollow member for maintaining said handle in a predeterminedposition relative to said body structure, said handle including a curvedportion engageable with said hammer means when said handle is pivoted toa position substantially parallel to said body structure.

10. The tool assembly of claim 9 wherein a substantially flat flangeextends transversely from said body structure at said end thereof, saidange being engageable with said surface into which said stud is to bedriven for stabilizing said tool assembly during such driving, each ofsaid hollow member of said handle structure and said stabilizing flangehaving a portion thereof cut away to provide a substantially planarsurface opposite said handle whereby said tool assembly may bepositioned in proximity to a wall or like surface which extends at anangle relative to said surface into which said stud is to be driven.

11. A stud driving tool assembly comprising an extensible body structureincluding a pair of telescoped tubes, one of said tubes having anexternal shoulder adjacent an end thereof, the other of said tubeshaving an internal shoulder adjacent an end thereof engageable with saidexternal shoulder of said one tube to preclude separation of said tubeswhen said body structure is extended, a driving pin slidably positionedin said one tube, one end of said driving pin being engageable with astud to be driven by said tool, the other end of said driving pinprojecting beyond said body structure when said tubes are telescoped,and a hammer slidably mounted on and interconnected with said other tubeand engageable with said projecting end of said driving pin when saidtubes are telescoped for forcibly driving said stud into a surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS983,798 Angell Feb. 7, 1911 1,164,086 Gooding Dec. 14, 1915 2,199,833Fleischman May 7, 1940 2,701,359 Asbury Feb. 8, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS525,120 Canada May 15, 1956

